Ambwani says food can heal – she even titled one of her cookbooks “Green Pharmacy” to emphasize this sentiment.
“Using holistic lifestyles can help us improve our immune system and increase our overall positive energy. Meditation and eating nutritious foods can go a long way,” Ambwani said. “If you have a healthy body, you have a healthy mind.”
Author Parisa Z. Ambwani holds her latest cookbook “Enlightened Home-Chef III” in Pleasanton. (Image provided by Ambwani)
As for why she is opting for a vegetarian and more plant-based diet, Ambwani emphasizes her appreciation for nature and its gifts.
“When I eat more vegetarian, I find myself more connected with nature,” Ambwani said. “But of course people can be vegetarian for other reasons, maybe there’s a diet problem or something, but for me it’s because I love nature.”
“I would say that nature is everything, for me it is happiness and people should take care of it more. The real beauty of human beings is having an open heart and the capacity for this love of living nature”, Ambwani added.
One of the main beliefs conveyed throughout his work is that consuming unhealthy foods can cause toxicities to the body, mind and spirit. People can combat this and create healthier living patterns by building better relationships with food and nature. She encourages people to avoid food additives, fried foods and excessive animal fats.
“When it comes to nutrition, people can get protein through foods like yogurt or eggs,” Ambwani said. “It’s hard to find 100% grass-fed meat, which is the best.”
The author emphasizes that cooking should be a great joy rather than a chore or a nuisance.
“I feel like people tend to get involved in so many things because there are so many new machines, but they deserve to have a good life and live more consciously,” said said Ambwani.
“Enlightened Home-Chef III” by Parisa Z. Ambwani is part of her ongoing collection of vegetarian cookbooks. The author runs an online library and has published eight hardcover books. (Photo by Nicole Gonzales)
Besides his cookbooks, the author has also published a number of works on philosophy and spirituality. She maintains an online library at www.enlightenedrecipes.com which offers a wealth of recipes, tips and personal reflections for the public to draw inspiration from.
“I hope (I can help people) to be happy, to see that eating can be spiritual, no matter what religion they believe in,” said Ambwani, who already has plans for his next book that will focus only on philosophy and spirituality.
Readers can find “Enlightened Home-Chef III (Vegetarian Cookbook)” available for purchase online or at retailers like Towne Center Books in downtown Pleasanton.
